Achillea millefolium

Achillea millefolium

Description

Soil: Xeric(Dry), Upland Sun: Full, Partial Height: 1-3′ Color: White Blooms: June-September Flowers: The flower heads appear in a flat clusters at the top of the plant. There are usually 5 petal-like ray flowers and 5-20 disk flowers in the center of each 1/4″ flower head. Leaves: The 6″ leaves are alternate, linear to lance-shaped, or oblong. They are feather-like, with even the small branches of the leaves having branches. The early leaves can be mistaken for ferns. Foliage is aromatic when crushed.

Suggested Uses:

Grown in a garden plot the flowers are very useful in fresh cut and dried flower arrangements. This plant does reseed readily and may be considered aggressive by some gardeners.

Interesting Facts

Medicinal Uses: Yarrow has been used for pain relief, fever relief, as a tea for stomach relief, as a poultice for rashes, and as a stimulant. It has a strong odor when crushed or bruised. Food Uses: It was used in Europe as a flavoring for beer. Other Uses: Can become an invasive weed if not controlled. It has a relatively short life-span. More Info: It spreads thought horizontal roots (rhizomes). Folklore: According to legend, it was used to treat the warrior Achilles at the Trojan War. It is also said that if you place yarrow in your pillow, you will dream of your future spouse. Name: The scientific name millefolium means “thousand leaves” and Achillea refers to the legend that the hero Achilles used the plant to treat wounds during the Trojan war. Other Names: Knight’s-Milfoil, Nosebleed Plant, Old-Man’s Pepper, Soldier’s Woundwort, Thousand Leaf USDA PLANTS Database profile page